Numbering machine for telephone number indicator discs and guide therefor



Nov. 20, 196? n M HoMs NUMBERING MACHI'NE'FOR TELEPHONE NUMBER INDICATOR DIscs AND GUIDE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 20, 1961 4 sheets-sheet 1 |NvENT'oR n4 Douglas M. Horns Nov 2O 1962 D. M. HoMs 3 NUMBERING MACHINE FOR TELEPHONE NUMBER INDICATOR DISCS AND GUIDE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 20, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.|2.

"T TG EXUWCOM OOO-0000 #www JNVENTOR. Douglas M. Homs NOV- 20, 1962 D. M. HoMs 3,064,565

NUMBERING MACHINE FoR TELEPHONE NUMBER D INDICATOR DIscs AND GUIDE THEREFDR Filed Feb. 2o, 1961 4 sheets-sheet s lol |06 los lo? 08 INVENToR lol-- flo' Douglas M. Horns BY Fig. ls..v Lm @W Nov. 20, 1962 D. M. HoMS 3,064,565

NUMBERINC MACHINE FoR TELEPHONE NUMBER INDICATOR DISCS AND GUIDE THEREFCR Filed Feb. 20, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 22.

HOLD 567 I' G COM-:|23

HOLD 56?/ 5679 56soL|\L HOLD 567: illillllll HOLD SG1/|53 i "2' UVJJIJ' l l \I24/ |32 |33 l09 lo' los e2 "a l" Fig.|3a l INVENTCR u los M. Horns |07 |08 56 Do g 3,064,555 NUMBERING MACHINE FOR TELEPHONE NUM- BER INDICATOR DISCS AND GUIDE THEREFOR Douglas M. Homs, 1314 Rollins Road, Burlingame, Calif. Filed Feb. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 90,356 11 Claims. (Cl. 101-368) This invention relates to a new and improved machine for printing numbers and phrases on telephone station number and station designation cards and guide therefor. It will be understood that the invention is hereinafter specifically applied to the numbering of telephone station number cards and station designation cards, but that by certain adaptations of the invention the machine and its guide may be employed for other purposes.

A conventional telephone instrument has displayed in a prominent location a cardboard or paper number disc, indicating the telephone number. Such a disc is usually placed under a transparent cover. Where several instruments are connected to the same trunkline through a switchboard or the like, the disc also sometimes carries an extension number. More recently, as a result of the availability of long distance direct dialing, the use of areafactured as outline knock-outs of paper strips with certain printed matter on the strips both inside and outside the discs. Thus a standard strip has space for four discs. In some cases the disc has printed thereon the telephone exchange on the top line; on the second line the number of the particular telephone is stamped, such a number ordinarily having four digits. It is desired for thesake of appearance that the four-digit number be centered below the first line. In those instances Where the exten- States Patent O M 3,064,565 Patented Nov. 20, 1962 ber on the disc (placed below the base). Certain notches chine relative to the indicator disc under certain conditions sion is on the third line of the disc the abbreviation I EXT., and the extension number is stamped in following this abbreviation.

A recently designed number card on the first line has a preprinted area code. The second line carries a seven digit number having a hyphen following the third digit.

In ordinary usage the first three digits remain the same in a given telephone exchange. Where several extensions are used on the same trunk line, a third line on the number card has the letters EXT followed by numerals corresponding to the particular extension number.

The

present invention has particular advantage in that it may be used to imprint either the card described in this paragraph or in the preceding paragraph.

4)For the sake of appearance, machine numbering of the digits of the telephone number and of the extension is preferable to hand numbering. Although it is possible to number the discs at a central oice, it is usually more i convenient to employ a portable numbering machine so that the installer may prepare the discs to satisfy the requirements of the particular installation. Accordingly,

one of the principal objects and features of the present or lines are cut or engraved in the longitudinal edges of the base, and in one of the modifications hereof certain projecting points are formed on the longitudinal edges. The notches and projections assist in lining up the maof installation as hereinafter appears.

The invention also employs a guide for location of the strip of discs, and also for the base of the numbering machine. The guide has a space the width of a standard card to locate the card. The guide also has notches or indicator marks cooperating with the projections in the base of the numbering machine to locate the numbering machine relative to the card in a lateral sense. As a matter of convenience, the guide may comprise the underside of the box cover in which the numbering machine is stored between uses and the construction of such box and its cover is one of the features of this invention.

Accordingly, the combination of numbering machine and guide enables the machine to be aligned properly in relation to thevrequirements of the station and designation cards. On the other hand, Where the guide has been misplaced or where the installer does not care to employ the same, the machine may be aligned lvisually if desired,

and certain features of the invention assist in such align-l ment.

A principal object and advantage of the present inven-A tion, accordingly, is to provide a machine havingdigits and phrases located properly thereon to imprint indicia, which are comparable in appearance and quality to printing.

It will be understood that the invention has other applications for locating digits or other symbols or indicia on a form where the indicia must be stamped in a predetermined position relative to the edge of the form andl laterally relative to the form.

As suggested above, indicia other than numbers may be used in connection with the invention. Although a number-stamping machine is desirable, the term indicia stamping machine is used in the claims of the present application to cover machines which stamp or print indications other than numbers.

A furtherifeature of the invention is its adaptability to imprinting the button designation cards used with multiple button telephone instruments as well as for station number discs. Thus, modern telephone instruments for certain installations have a horizontal row of buttons along the bottom of the base. The left-hand button holds a call. of several trunk lines. The button next to the right-hand button frequently controls a buzzer at another instrument. The right-hand button frequently connects with an intercommunicating line for one or more other instruments. A narrow designation strip carrying indica for the various buttons is slipped under a transparent covering either immediately above orbelow the row of buttons. The

present invention may be used to imprint such indicia on strips of paper for such purpose.

Custom-arily designation strips are torn off along perforated lines from a designation card for a plurality of such strips. Thus the present invention may be set for the last four digits of one particular trunk line number and such number imprinted down a column representing The next several buttons each connect with one characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views:

SFIG. 1 is a plan view of `a guide used in connection with the present invention, showing in dot-and-dash lines the outline of a strip for four indicator discs.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. l, and showing in dotted lines the outline of a numbering machine.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the base of a machine used with the guide of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the machine.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 `are fragmentary schematic views showing the guide, a strip for numbering discs, and the outline of the base of the numbering machine in three different positions of use.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary views of a disc and surrounding Strip showing different positions of digits stamped on the disc and showing in dot-and-dash lines the outline of the aperture in the base of the numbering machine.

FIG. l1 is a side elevation of a modification of the numbering machine.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic view showing a plane development of the numbering wheels of the modification of FIG. ll.

FIGS. 13, 13a and 14 are schematic views showing said modification in different portions of use.

FIG. l is a view of a card imprinted in accordance with said modification.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a box for use with a numbering machine.

FIG. 17 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal rsectional view ta-ken sub-stantially along line 18-18 of FIG. 117.

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan of the modified box cover.

FIG. 20 is an end elevation of the cover of FIG. 19.

IFIG. 21 is a perspective view of the modification of FIG. 11.

lFIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of the base plate of the device as used on a button designation card.

A standard strip 11 for indicator discs 12 is approximately two inches wide and nine inches long. Provision is made for four knock-out indicator discs .12, each 1% inches in diameter, the proper size to fit under the transparent protector on a telephone dial. Substantially circular but interrupted cut lines 13 are die cut in the strip 11 so that the discs 12 are held against unintentional dislodgement from the strip but may be removed with a minimum of effort and -Without danger of tearing. An indentation 14 is die cut into the edge of the disc 12, the indentation cooperating with stationary portions of the telephone instrument to locate the disc 12 in proper location on the telephone instrument dial under the transparent protector.

=Each of the four indicator discs 12 is substantially identical. In the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings there is provision for three parallel horizontal lines. On the first line 16 is printed a telephone exchange, for example, EXbrook 7. 'It will be understood that various exchanges are used throughout the country, but that the first line is printed on the strip and properly centered relative to the disc. Immediately below the first line is provision for a second line 17, which is blank in the printed fori-n but on which are stamped, as by means of the present invention, the four digits of the particular telephone station, e.g. 1234.

The third line 18 on the disc 12 is optional 4and is used in those instances where there are several extension phones on the same trunkline. Such a third line may be abbreviated EXT. printed on the form following which s stamped, as by the present invention, the particular extension number which may be one or more digits, e.g. 432. It will be noted that the third line of digits is offset slightly to the right relative to the second line of digits in order 4to properly center the information on the line relative to the disc.

Also printed on the strip 11 are short vertical lines 19 adjacent to the bottom edge of the strip which are accurately centered relative to the center of the disc 12 and which function as guide lines. Y

In those locations where direct dialing of long distance telephone calls is possible by reason of installation of equipment therefor, it is contemplated that the area code will be preprinted on the indicator disc of the telephone. This necessitates offsetting of the second line digits slightly to the right of the location Shown in the accompanying drawing as compared with conventional indicator discs used at the present time. The present invention, as hereinafter appears, provides means for optionally locating the digits of the second line in either the standard location or the special location for those indicator discs which are specially printed to indicate an area code.

In order to imprint the digits on the second and third lines 17 and 18, a stamping machine 21 is employed. rSuch a machine has a specially provided base 22. The longitudinal edges of base 22 are spaced apart a distance which is less than the width of strip 11. Formed in theV base 22, substantially centrally thereof, is a T-shaped aperture 23, the Widest part of which is denominated hereinafter as the aperture Through aperture 23 project the metal wheels 24 which stamp the digits to be imprinted on disc 12. To facilitate visual location of the base 22 on strip 11, a plurality of teeth 26, here shown as four in number, project up from the bottom of the aperture 23 and accurately define the space for the four digits to -be imprinted by the num-bering dies 24. The distance between the aperture 23 and the upper longitudinal edge of base 22 is equal to the distance between the second line 17 and the top edge of the strip 11. The distance between the aperture 23 and the hotom edge of the base 22 is equal to the distance bet-Ween the third line 18 of disc 12 and the bottom edge of strip '11. .Also formed on the base 22 are projections 3'1 and 32. Projection 31 is Iformed extending outwardly from the top edge of base 22 on the lateral centerline of aperture 23, and is approximately triangular in form. Projection 32 is formed extending outwardly from the bottom edge of the base 22 and is offset to the right of the lateral center line the same distance which the first digit of line 18 is offset relative to the first digit of line 17. Adjacent projection 32 is a notch 33 in the bottom edge of -base 22, which functions to locate the strip relative to the numbering machine 21, when it is visually aligned.

Numbering machine 21 has certain -features incorporated therein, such as wheels of metal or rubber-like material on which the dies 24 are embossed. The wheels are adjusted in position by means of five turning knobs 36, preferably located two on one side of the machine and three on the other. By turning the knobs 36 the proper die 24 is located in the bottom position so that it will protrude through the aperture 23 when the handle 34 is depressed. An ink pad is incorporated in the mechanism which presses against the bottom-most dies 24 as the handle 34 is released so that the dies are inked before they print on the indicator disc 12.

The numbering machine 21 is preferably packed and stored between uses in a box which is closed by a sliding cover 41. The dimensions of cover 41 are subject to wide variation. Preferably there is formed on the under side of cover 41 a pair of guide rails 42-43 which are parallel and extend longitudinally of the cover 41 and are spaced apart the width of strip 11. Inset in the cover 41 in an appropriate location is a recess 44, in Which is inset a resilient insert 45 which is, in the normal usage of the machine and guide, located immediately below the location of the imprinting of the digits in the second and third lines 17 and 18, and functions in cooperation with the numbering machine to reduce the wear on the dies 24 and improve the printing.

The upper guide rail 42 is formed with a notch 46 and, optionally, with a second notch 47. Bottom guide rail 43 is provided with a notch 4S and also with a vertical mark 49. The strip 11 is positioned so that one of the vertical lines 19 on the strip is lined up with line 49 on bottom guide rail 43. This centers the particular disc 12 relative to the ultimate position of the numbering machine 21. The notch 46 in the rail 42 cooperates with projection 31 on base 22 to locate the numbering machine laterally relative to the guide 41 so that the digits imprinted on line 17 will be accurately centered relative to the disc 12. The second or optional notch 47 is used in cooperation with projection 31 when the second line 17 is oiset slightly to the right as where the area code is printed on the disc 12 and necessitates a relocation of the digits in second line 17. Notch 48 in lower disc 43 is used in cooperation with projection 32 to accurately locate the imprinting of the digits in the third line 18.

Thus in the normal usage in the invention, the machine 21 and guide 41 are employed together. The tirst step in the use of the invention is to insert the strip 11 between the guide rails 42-43. By reason of the fact that the distance between guides 42-43 is equal to the width of strip 11, the proper horizontal relationship of the digits imprinted is thus assured. Line 19 of the irst disc of the strip is then lined up with line 49 on guide 43. The numbering machine 21 is then adjusted by means of knobs 36 so that the digits of the telephone number of the particular phone are properly located showing through aperture 23. Thereupon the machine is placed between the guides 42-43 and projection 31 inserted in the notch 46, with the top edge of base 22 flush against guide rail 42. Thereupon handle 34 is depressed, which stamps on second line 17 the digits of the telephone number. This position is shown in FIG. 5 and the resulting imprinting in FIG. 8. If there is a third line 18, the machine 21 is adjusted by means of knobs 36 so that the digits displayed at the bottom are the desired extension number. Thereupon the projection 32 is inserted in the notch 48 and the bottom edge of base 22 placed flush against guide rail 43. This locates the numbering machine so that it imprints on the third line 18 and accurately offsets the digits to the right of the second line. This position of the numbering machine is shown in FIG. 6, and the resulting imprinting is shown in FIG. 9. In those instances where the second line must be otset by reason of the area code number being printed on the disc 12, the position of FIG. 5 is altered in the manner shown in FIG. 7, namely, that the projection 31 is inserted in the notch 47. This offsets the digits of the second line to the right as shown in FIG. l0.

Where the visual alignment of the numbering machine relative to the strip is desired, the guide 41 is not used. Line 17 is imprinted by aligning the top edge of the base 22 with the top edge of the strip 11. The bottom pointer 32 is aligned with the vertical line 19. When the eX- tension line is imprinted on the third line 18, the bottom edge of the base is aligned with the bottom edge of the strip and the notch 33 with vertical line 19.

It will be seen, therefore, that the present invention provides convenient means for accurately imprinting indicia on a prepared blank.

A modified number card is illustrated in FIGS. ll to l5, inclusive. A strip 11a, similar to strip 11 of the modiiication of FIGS. l to l0, is employed. As best shown in FIG. 15, each yindicator disc 12a on its top line 51 contains the words AREA CODE followed by a code number such as 719. This first line 51 is ordinarily preprinted on the indicator discs 12a.

The second line 52 contains three numerals indicating the exchange followed by a hyphen and the number of the phone. Thus, the exchange is indicated by the first three digits of a seven-.digit number thus: 234-. These three digits and the hyphen may be preprinted on the disc if desired but, in accordance with this invention,

Iline, the letters EXT followed by an extension number (542) may be printed on the third line 53 of the disc. The letters EXT. may be preprinted on the disc or, in accordance with the present invention, may be imprinted by means of the numbering machine hereinafter described.

It will further be seen that the discs 12a are substantially circular and are dimensioned to t under the transparent protector on a telephone dial. Interrupted cut lines 54 are die-cut into the strip 11a so that the discs are held against unintentional dislodgment. Immediately below the indicator discs 12a the strip is printed with a short vertical line corresponding to the center of the disc.

-A typical designation card 121 is shown in FIG. 21. Such a card is rectangular in shape and is divided by horizontal perforation lines 122 into narrow horizontal strips 123, each shaped to t under a transparent cover in proximity to a row of buttons on a telephone instrument. The card 121 is also divided into columns corresponding in number and spacing to the buttons on such an instrument by Vertical line 124. If desired the word HOLD may be preprinted in the left-hand column of each strip. The present invention may be used to imprint digits in the various spaces of the card or to imprint abbreviations such as SIG or COM or the like, depending on the requirements of the particular installation. Where installation conditions are favorable to the accomplishment of this end, the stamp wheels of the stamping machine may be set and the digits or letters for an entire column The numbering machine 61 has a base 62 of the width equal to that of the strip 11a. The aperture 63 in the center of the base 62 is of a length to accommodate the number of digits in either line 52 or 53. I-t will be noted that there is a rectangular bottom recess 60 formed on the bottom edge of aperture 63 having a width equal to the seven digits imprinted by the numbering machine. The

short edges 65 to either side of the offset 60 coincide with the bottom edge of the imprinting accomplished by the numbering machine 61. Guidelines 66 are formed along the bottom edge of bottom recess 60 there being eight such guide lines to accommodate the seven digits which are preprinted. On -the bottom edge of the base 62 is a triangular notch 64 which is centered relative to aperture 63 and has a rectangular lateral olset 67 toward the right. On the bottom edge of the base 62 at the middle of offset `67 is vertical indicator line 131, and on the bottom edge of the base 62 to the right of offset 62 is a second vertical indicator line 132. On bot-h the left and righthand edges of the base are lirst horizontal indicator lines .133 which are spaced upwardly from the bottom edge of the base one-half the distance between lines 52 and 53, and second horizontal indicator lines 134 which coincide with the bottom of the imprinting accomplished by the numbering machine.

Numbering machine 61 preferably has seven numbering wheels 71 to 77 of metal, plastic or rubber-like material on which dies are embossed. In normal usage in numbering telephone indicator discs, only the four righthand wheels 74 to 77 will ordinarily be changed frequently. For convenience, the `tive right-hand Wheels are controlled by turning knobs 81 to 85, respectively. The construction of such knobs is well understood in this art and hence not illustrated or described in detail herein. By turning knobs 31 to 85, the proper die on wheels 73 to 77 l? isilocated in the bottom position so that it will protrude throughaperture Y63 in base .62 when thehandle 87 is depressed. It will be understood that the two left-hand wheels 71, 72 .can be turned manually by knurled wheels 88, 89, or if desired a system of seven turning knobs may be fused for vall seven wheels.

Preferably, each wheel 71 to 77 has 13 positions. The first orleft-hand wheel 71 has digits from 1 to 9`plus 0, plus the letter E, plus two blank spaces. The second wheel 7-2. has ,digits .from .1 to 9 plus .0, plus the letter X, plustwo blank spaces. The third wheel 73 has digits 1 to 9 plus O, all of which digits and 0 are followed by a hyphen, plus the letter T followed by a period, plus two blank spaces. l'Ihe four-'th wheel 74 has the digits l'to 9, inclusive,'plus 0, plus three blank spaces. The iifth Wheel 75 has digits 1 `to 9, inclusive, plus 0, plus one blank space, .plus the letter C, plus the letter S. The sixth wheelV 76'hasthe digits-1 to 9, inclusive, plus 0, plus one blank space, plusl the letter O, plus the letter I. The seventh Wheel 77 has the digits 1 to 9, inclusive, plus 0, plus one blank space, plus the letter M, plus the letter G. VIn wheels 75 to `77 the letters C, O, Mfmay be alignedto indicate the intercommunicating button on a multi-button ytelephone and the letters S, I, G may be alignedto indicatethe signal orbuzzer-ringing button of such a telephone.

LAs'shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, the numbering machine is preferably packed'and stored between uses in a box which may be of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or that form shownin FIGS. 16 to 20. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, the bottom 92 of the box 91has centrally a boss 93 with a semi-circular depression 94 centered therein which receives .the upper .end of handle 87 when the numbering machine 61is`placed lying flat on the bottom of the box. The outer face of each end and of each side is formed withiarabbet .96. The particular shape of the rabbet is clear-ly .shown .in the accompanying drawings and has thefunotion of receiving .corresponding end and 'side Y downward .projections .101, 103 on thecover 104so that the box is .held properly closed.

rThecover 104 of the-box is of particular importance. Thus at either end'there is an opening 97 flush with the .topV of the rbox and dened by vertically extending ends 101 on either side of the opening. The distance between the inner edges of '.the ends 101 is equal to the width of striplla. Thebottom ofthe inside of the box has rails 106, `107 raisedlrelative to the cover, which rails 106, 107 arelikewisespacedapart the width of strip 11a. Hence the strip .11a may'belocated for imprinting `by means of the recess incover 104 between rails i106, .107 and between the end pieces :1011. The bottom rail 107 is formed with a rectangular oset 108 which has a width equal to the WidthofbaSe 621and a depth equal to one-half the distance between lines 52.and 53. yA marker or indicator 111 is formedinwthe guide rail midway with respect to voffset 108.

The upper guide rail 106 is likewise formed `with an oset 109, but such'olset 109 is longer than the bottom offset 108. `The .right-hand end ofthe two offsets-108, 109 are in alignment. Theleft-hand end of the upperoiset 109 extendsto the left a distance equal to three halves of the Width of one of '.thenumbering wheels.

:In use, thezcover 104 is removedfrom `the box 91 and inverted.

The sevenwheels 71 to 77 are `adjusted to imprint the designations to be shown on line 52 of FIG. 15. Strip 11a is inserted between the guide rails 106, .107 and aligned sothat one of the lines 56 coincides with indicator linelllon thebottom guide rail .107. This centers a disc 12a .relative to .the'base.62. To imprint the ytop line 52, shown in PIG. .15, the topedgeof. the base 62 is inserted in the upper recess V109 and the machine moved as far to the-rightas possible (IFIG. 13). This cen-ters the numberingmachinerelative to the disc. 'The triangular notch 64 in the base 62 is valigned in this position with the line 56 and also with,the.rmarker 1111 :onthe base. .-Inthose instances' wheretheexchange is preprinted on the .discs 12a, the'rst three wheels 71 to 73 are turned sothat the blank spaces are downmost. Thereupon instead of moving the base 62 to .the right-hand end of the upper offset 109 the base is moved to t-he left-hand end thereof (FIG. 13a). This centers the last four wheels 74-77 relative to the disc 12a. In such instance, the marker 1312 is in alignment with marker 111 and with line 56.

Where no extension number is to be imprinted, the foregoing completes the numbering operation. However, where an extension number is to be imprinted, a further operation is required. If the disc is preprinted with the letters EXT then the rst three wheels 71 to 73 are turned so that blank spaces are in printing'position and the fourth to seventh wheels -74 to 77 are turned Vso that proper number of the extension is displayed.

However, where the disc is 'not preprinted, the first wheel 71 is turned so that the letter E is exposed, the second wheel 72 so that the letter'X is exposed, and the third Ywheel 73 so that the letter T is exposed. The last four wheels 74 to 77 are adjusted in the same manner as when a-preprinted disc is used. Thereupon, the base 62 is positioned so that the bottom edge fits intorecess 108. The handle l87 vis `depressed and this imprints the third line 53 on the disc.

Where it is desired `to=visually line up the numbering machine rather vrthan'using the guide 'rails 106, 107 the markers 134 on the side edges of base 62 'are aligned with the space'to lbe imprinted, which vmay be'indicated by guide line 59 on strip 11a, and this Valigns the aperture with line 52. Themachine'may be centered relative to the line to Vbe imprinted by means of notch 64 and line 56, or visually. When the third line 53 is to be imprinted without use of guide rails the lower edge markings 133 Vare aligned with the bottom of the strip 11a. This aligns the numbering machine with line 53. The machine is centered visually or by means of notch 64 and 1ine'56. Y

As shown in FIG. 21, at the present time `perforated 'designation cards 121 for four and six-button telephone instruments are used and may be imprinted with the present invention. Thus, in the six-button card shown the first column .is preprinted Vwith the word HOLD Digits Vare to be .imprinted in the next .four columns. The right-hand .four numbering wheels "74 t0 77 are adjustedfor the proper numbers to be imprinted and the left-hand .three Wheels 71 to `73 are turned to blank. To mark -the first strip 123.of the card inthe second column guide markers 134 on the side edges of'base 62 are aligned with perforation'122 on the bottom of the strip. Marker 132 on the bottom edge of base 62 is aligned with the right-handline l124,detining the column. The number is then imprinted and all of the numbers on the strip maybe vimprinted by moving the numbering machine verticallydown the card keeping the `marker 132 in alignment with the right-hand line 124 and moving the side-guide markers V134 down one spaceat a time. The third column is then Vimprinted bychanging the numbering wheels 74 to77 and repeating the operation. Usual- .ly the fth -and/orsixth column'has different imprinting; thus the ifth column is 'frequently'imprinted SIG., and ,for such purpose the left-hand'four numbering wheels 71 to 74 are .turned to blank spaces and the right-hand three numbering wheels to 77 are adjusted to display the .letters SIG. This symbol is then imprinted in the same manner as fdescribedfor digits. The sixth column frequently bearsthe designation COM. and this is displayed by changing the position of the right-hand three wheels 75 to 77 for suchY letters.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way 4of illustrationfand example for purposes of clarity 'of understanding, it is -understood that certain changes vand modiiications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention .and scopevof the ap- .pended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for stamping indicia on a preselected spot on a standard strip form, said spot being located vertically relative to a rst longitudinal edge of said form and also laterally relative to a guide line marked on said form adjacent one of its longitudinal edges, said device comprising a frame having a relatively flat table, a guide rail on said frame projecting up from said table, an indicia stamping machine having stamping mechanism provided with selectable indicia dies and a base, and cooperating locating means on said base and said frame for locating a strip in contact with said guide rail relative to said frame and said base relative to said frame whereby selected dies imprint indicia on said form at said preselected spot, said locating means including a recess formed in said guide rail, said recess having a length substantially equal to the length of said base.

2. A device according to claim l, in which is further provided a second guide rail on said frame projecting up from said table, said irst mentioned and second guide rails being parallel and spaced apart the width of said strip, and in which said locating means includes a rst recess formed in said first mentioned guide rail of a length substantially equal to the length of said base and a second recess formed in said second guide rail at least as long as said base.

3. A device for stamping indicia on a pre-selected spot on a standard strip form, said spot being located vertically relative to a rst longitudinal edge of said form' and also laterally relative to a guide line marked on said form adjacent one of its longitudinal edges, comprising in combination, a guide rail, indicator means cooperating with said guide line to locate said strip laterally relative to said guide rail, said guide rail being formed with a notch, and an indicia stamping machine having an apertured base and stamping mechanism having indicia dies projectable through the aperture in said base, a iirst longitudinal edge of said base spaced from said aperture a distance corresponding to the distance of said spot from said first longitudinal edge of said form cooperable with said guide rail to locate said aperture vertically relative to said strip, and a projection on said first longitudinal edge of said base complementary to said notch cooperable with said notch to locate said aperture lateral ly of said strip.

4. A device according to claim' 3, which further comprises a second guide rail on said guide parallel to said first mentioned guide rail and spaced therefrom the `width of said strip, said second guide rail being formed with a second notch, said base having a second longitudinal edge opposite said irst longitudinal edge or" said base formed with a second projection complementary to said second notch, said second longitudinal edge being cooperable with said second guide rail to locate said aperture vertically relative to said strip and said second projection being cooperable with said second notch to locate said aperture laterally of said strip.

5. A device for stamping indicia on a pre-selected spot on a strip comprising a stamping machine having a base and a frame cooperable with said base for locating said machine relative to a strip on said frame, said frame having parallel top and bottom guide rails spaced apart the width of said strip whereby said strip is received between said guide rails for longitudinal movement cooperating locating means on said hase and said frame for locating said base and frame relative to each other, second locating means on the bottom edge of said base and third locating means on the side edge of said base for locating said machine relative to markings on a card independently of said frame.

6. A device for stamping indicia on a pre-selected spot on a strip comprising a stamping machine having a base and a frame cooperable with said base for locating said machine relative to a strip on said frame, said frame having parallel top and bottom guide rails spaced apart the width of said strip whereby said strip is received between said guide rails for longitudinal movement, said guide rails being spaced apart substantially the width of said base, opposed edges of said guide rails being each formed with a recess shaped to receive an edge of said base whereby said machine may be located to imprint lines on said strip, said lines being spaced at different distances from a longitudinal edge on said strip.

7. A device according to claim 6, in which one of said recesses is longer than said base whereby said machine may he located to imprint in either of two different spots spaced diierently longitudinally of said strip.

8. A device according to claim 6, in which said base is provided with indicator markings on each of two adjacent edges whereby said machine may be located relative to a pair of markings on an underlying card.

9. A device according to claim 6, which further comprises a box for said machine and in which said frame is the cover for said box.

l0. A device according to claim 6, in which one edge or" said base is formed with an aperture to expose a marking on an underlying strip to locate said machine relative to said marking on said strip independently of said frame.

11. A device according to claim 10, in which said first mentioned edge of said base is formed with a second aperture to expose said marking whereby said machine may be located in either of two positions relative to said marking independently of said frame.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 548,226 Scotford Oct. 22, 1895 743,762 Shea Nov. l0, 1903 1,740,285 Correll Dec. 17, 1929 2,024,395 Silverman Dec. 17, 1935 2,314,828 Humphries Mar. 23, 1943 2,449,810 Guenther Sept. 21, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 503,146 Germany July 18, 1930 

